Without waiting for the European countries to express their stance, the situation in South America changed again. Under the pressure of interdependence, Peru chose to ally with Bolivia and the Pacific War broke out.
With Peru's participation in the war, the situation in South America became more complicated. Originally, Chile was suppressing Bolivia, but after Peru joined the war, the situation changed and the two sides seemed to be evenly matched.
When the military strength was close, it would be a test of diplomacy. These days, the words of the great powers were very important, especially when they were evenly matched. Whoever obtained the support of the great powers was the straw that broke the camel's back.
…
London, Downing Street.
Foreign Minister Edward: "The situation in the South American countries has not been good. The war between Chile, Bolivia, and Peru, in addition to competing for the minerals in the Atacama desert, is more to divert internal conflicts.
Almost all of the South American countries had territorial disputes with their neighbors, and most of these countries had serious internal conflicts, and there were demands to transfer the internal conflicts.
If we don't intervene in time, more countries will be involved in this war. Once a full-scale war breaks out in South America, it will be another round of reshuffling, which is not in our interest.
At present, both warring parties are seeking our help. Considering the traditional friendship, I suggest supporting Chile to win this war. "
The South American countries seemed to be independent, but in fact, they were still economic colonies of the European countries. It was just that they were not so ugly.
There was no doubt that Britannia took the biggest share. As described in the British newspaper, "Argentina is our ranch, Peru is our silver mine, Chile is our mine …"
As the biggest vested interest, the British naturally did not want to break the situation.
If it was just a war between Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, the British still had the strength to control the situation. If it was a full-scale war in South America, it would not be the Government of London who had the final say.
Today was different from the past. The Fao and the United Kingdom had been relatively idle recently and had long been eyeing the British interests in South America.
Once the reshuffling happened, the three countries were bound to start a new round of competition. Could the British still have the current advantage?
This was a question worth thinking about.
Economic competition was also a war. It was just that one could not see the smoke of gunpowder.
If one were to use statistics to speak, it would be found that nearly 60% of the foreign trade of the South American countries was with the British, and the rest was divided by other European and American countries.
Prime Minister Benjamin: "The Chileans agreed to our terms?"
In Britannia, "traditional friendship" and "interests" are usually equated. There is only one explanation for why the Foreign Office is supporting Chile — the Chileans are offering a higher price.
As for the relationship between the two countries, that was secondary. Britannia had a lot of underlings. If all the underlings had to support them, then the Government of London wouldn't have to do anything.
Foreign Secretary Edward: "Of course, in addition to linking the peso to the pound, the Chileans also promised that if we help them win this war, we will get the mining rights in the Atacama Desert.
The Atacama Desert has the most saltpeter mines in the world. If we control this place, we will control the saltpeter market.
Whether it's strategic value or economic value, it's worth it for us to act. "
After hesitating for a moment, Prime Minister Benjamin made a decision. "Let's try again and see if we can get an exclusive authorization. At the very least, when we authorize it to a third party, they have to get our consent first."
Promoting currency hegemony was the core, and controlling the saltpeter market was incidental. Prime Minister Benjamin could still distinguish the severity of this matter.
"No problem!" Edward said confidently.
With the world's number one Royal Navy, Britannia had always had a lot of say overseas. Even if the Fao and the UK joined forces, there was no way to compete with them in the South American region.
In terms of strength, whoever had the support of the British would have the advantage in the war.
…
In the presidential residence in Santiago, President Anibal Pinto Gamundia was meeting a group of special guests.
"Your Excellency, we've done our job. Now it's time for you to fulfill your promise."
The one who spoke was a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious clothes. Although he had a smile on his face, it was difficult to hide the arrogance between his eyebrows. The seemingly peaceful conversation was actually full of warning.
President Anibal Pinto Gamundia frowned. Obviously, the middle-aged man's behavior made him very uncomfortable. However, as a politician, he could still control this little bit of emotion.
He replied with a smile, "Don't worry, Sir Locus. As long as we win this war, the mining rights in the Atacama Desert will belong to you.
Now that the war is still going on, even if we fulfill our promise immediately, we can't do it now! "
It couldn't be helped. The British had always had low moral integrity. If they were to get everything they wanted in advance, who knew if they would sell it off?
President Anibal Pinto Gamundia didn't have the ability to influence the Government of London. He could only take roundabout measures and influence the Government of London through the British capitalists.
In fact, this war was also the result of the British capitalists pushing it from behind. The core goal was to monopolize the saltpeter trade and promote the hegemony of the pound sterling.
Compared to Bolivia's introduction of the British Fao and the three countries' checks and balances, Chile's was much simpler. It had always been holding onto the thigh of Britannia.
Locus shook his head. "It doesn't matter. We can sign the treaty first. Fulfilling the treaty can wait until after the war. I have enough patience. "
President Anibal Pinto Gamundia was worried. Locus was also very worried. Don't think that there would be no unforeseen changes just because he was British. In fact, Britain was also full of internal competition.
If the contract was not signed earlier, it might be cut off by other domestic forces. In the face of profit, the capitalists had no moral integrity.
For the Government of London, as long as the meat was in the pot, it didn't matter who was in control. Locus didn't want to work so hard for so long only to end up benefiting others.
After a pause, Locus added, "Your Excellency, I heard that your country's new army is still lacking weapons. I am willing to privately sponsor a regiment of equipment."
Seeing that President Anibal Pinto Gamundia was moved, Locus continued to increase the price. "It's all the active equipment of the Britannia Army. In addition, I will add one million bullets and five thousand artillery shells."
After hesitating again and again, President Anibal Pinto Gamundia shook his head. He wanted the weapons and equipment, but it was difficult to obtain them.
Locus' face darkened. "The equipment of two regiments!"
President Anibal Pinto Gamundia was in a trance, as if he was in a fierce struggle in his heart, unable to make a decision.
Locus: "The equipment of three regiments!"
"This is the bottom line. If Your Excellency still can't accept it, then I can only find someone else to cooperate with."
"Deal!" President Anibal Pinto Gamundia replied with difficulty.
Reality once again proved that there was nothing that couldn't be solved by weapons and equipment. If it couldn't be solved, it must be because the weapons and equipment weren't enough.
The countries in South America weren't peaceful, and Chile was no exception. The president didn't necessarily rely on an election, but he definitely didn't lack the support of the military.
In this case, no matter who was the president, they must protect the interests of the supporters behind the scenes.
Weapons and equipment were undoubtedly the best weapon to bribe the military. Even if President Anibal Pinto Gamundia wanted to refuse, the people behind the scenes wouldn't let him.
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